Nyeson Wike Weeps At Private Meeting With ASUU

The supervising Minister of Education, Nyeson Wike had thought that it would be a piece of cake for him to go into a discussion with the leadership of ASUU and come out smiling after a compromise, but was shocked at the recent meeting in Abuja when it became obvious that ASUU is very serious.
 
His plan to use the resolution of the strike to lobby President Jonathan to make a full Minister of Education has does suffered a serious set back. It doesn't seem that would happen anytime soon and it appears ASUU and its leadership are not ready to accept anything less.

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Defer handing over of PHCN to investors, TUC tells FG

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to defer the proposed handover date of Power Holding Company of Nigeria’s successor companies to their new owners until all agreements with the unions are met.

The government had proposed November 1 as the date for the handover of the successor companies to their new investors.

TUC’s Deputy Secretary-General, Mr. Simeso Amachree, made the call in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

He said: “It will be unfair if the government go ahead with the hand over, without first settling all the workers.

“What is the hurry about? We are not opposed to privatisation if it is in the best interest of Nigerians and the country.

“But the workers must be paid their entitlements before the handover, ’’ he said.

Amachree said the government must be seen to deal fairly and transparently with the workers, to avoid unpleasant consequences.

“We will not hesitate to call out our other affiliates in other sectors to join in the struggle, because an injury to one is an injury to all,’’ he warned.

Amachree said the unions would engage in peaceful and legal means to compel the government to honour its agreement with them.

“We have decided to stage protests and eventually embark on total strike, if the government reneges on its agreement,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the contending issues include the non-payment of retirement savings to pension fund administrators and non-remittance of dues of two per cent deducted from workers’ salaries to the unions.

Others are the non-payment of benefits of retirees who disengaged in 2011, non-regularisation of the service of some casual workers and the non-payment of the severance package to some of the workers.

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14-Yr-Old Boy Rapes 9-Yr-Old Girl to Death

The police in Lagos State have commenced investigation into how a nine-year-old girl died, after sustaining injuries caused by alleged consistent rape.

According to police authorities, the deceased was raped over five times, by a 14-year-old student, Onyi Adimabua, in the Ikorodu area of the state.

The father of the deceased, Simeon Jigo, told INFO BREAKERS Metro that Onyi is the son of the proprietor of the school his daughter attended.

He said his daughter opened up about the rape when she started having medical problems.

The 77-year-old man said his daughter died on October 3, 2013. He said:

“Up until my daughter’s death, she was a pupil of Fulfilled Greenland School, Ikorodu, and she was in primary three. One day, she came home and started complaining of pains around her vagina, stomach area.

We rushed her to Ikorodu General Hospital. A doctor checked her and after conducting some tests on her, told us that my daughter had sustained medical complications due to forced sexual intercourse.

I was alarmed by this; so, I had a private discussion with my daughter. She told me that it was her school proprietor’s son, Onyi, that had been raping her. The boy had threatened to kill her if she ever told anyone about it.”

The indigene of Ondo State told INFO BREAKERS  that after initial treatments, he took his daughter to Arogbo in Ondo State to be taken care of but her condition continued to deteriorate.

A few days after the troubled father travelled to Ondo State, Onyi, accompanied by his parents, also travelled to Ondo State, to apologise to Jigo’s family. The girl, however, was said to have died that very day.

“On getting to the house where my daughter was, we discovered that she was dead. Onyi confessed that he had been raping my daughter prior to her death,’ Jigo said.

INFO BREAKERS  learnt that after the girl’s demise, irate youths in the area attempted to lynch the 14-year-old boy. The bereaved father was said to have intervened and reported the matter to a nearby police station, where the teenager was held for safe keeping. 

The next morning, Onyi and his parents travelled back to Lagos.The alleged rapist’s parents, in company with a chief in Ikorodu, reportedly visited Jigo when he returned to Lagos. 

The group were said to have pleaded that the bereaved father should not pursue the case but he refused. Jigo said:

“I went to the Ikorodu Police station to report the case but was surprised when the policemen on duty said I should not write any statement.  They only told me to write down my telephone number and said they would call me later.

After waiting for many days without any call, I wrote a petition and the matter was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.”

It was however learnt that Onyi had been taken to his father’s hometown in Delta State thereby stalling police investigation.

The teenager’s parents,  however described the incident as the handiwork of the devil.

The 14-year-old boy’s father, Andrew Adimabua, said:

“I trained that boy in the way of the Lord and expected so much from him. He has confessed to the act; there is nothing to hide. He told me that he learnt about sex by watching blue (pornographic) films.

We are not hiding him and we will cooperate with the police. On the day the little girl died, he was beaten up and made to stay in the rain for hours. As a result, he contracted pneumonia so we sent him home for treatment. When he recovers, he’ll be taken to the police for questioning.”

Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent on the telephone, expressed shock at the development.Braide said Onyi would be re-arrested in the course of investigation.

“It is appalling that a teenager could indulge in such act. The matter is under investigation and the culprit will be re-arrested.”

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Probe of NIMASA contract scam ‘inconclusive’

A Federal High Court, Lagos, on Wednesday heard that investigation of alleged contract scam at the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) was inconclusive.

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor Ibrahim Ahmed said there were no documents showing whether the contracts, which were alleged to have been split, were indeed supplied.

He was testifying in the trial of former NIMASA Director-General Raymond Omatseye.

EFCC re-arraigned him before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia on an amended 27-count charge bordering on contract scam.

Omatseye pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

His re-arraignment was due to the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako.

The accused person was charged with alleged illegal transfer of the agency’s fund and contract splitting estimated at over N1.5 billion.

During cross-examination by defence counsel Olusina Sofola (SAN), Ahmed said he asked for the “performance” documents, but was not given.

“I made request for the documents orally from the people who made statements. I also requested for the documents from the contractors,” he said.

The witness said he was, therefore, unable to determine the “performance” of the contracts allegedly awarded by Omatseye.

“According to statements made by the accused person and the contractors, the items were supplied.

“The contractors said the contract was performed. I requested for documents showing performance of the contracts but was not given.

“Because the documents were not available, I wasn’t able to confirm the contract performance,” he said.

Asked by Sofola if he stated his inability to confirm the contract performance in his statement before the court, the witness said he did not write down everything.

“It’s not everything I did in the course of my investigation that is contained in my statement,” Ahmed said.

The EFCC witness, however, said the materials supplied to NIMASA were “almost the same thing” and ought to be awarded to a single contractor.

He added that the contracts were allegedly split to come within the approved threshold for management approval.

Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia adjourned till December 3 for continuation of hearing.

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See What Actress Chika Ike Has To Say On The On-Going ASUU Strike

Nollywood actress, Chika Ike took to her twitter page to share her opinion on the on-going ASUU strike affecting Nigerian universities which started on 1st July, 2013.

See tweets below

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Nigeria Boko Haram gunmen 'tracked and killed'

 

Militant attacks have continued despite the military offensive

 

About 50 Islamist militants have been killed in north-eastern Nigeria after the military raided Boko Haram camps, army spokesman Sagir Musa has said.

Troops tracked gunmen who attacked two towns on Wednesday and Thursday, reportedly killing 20 people.

Boko Haram, which wants to create an Islamic state across Nigeria, has waged a deadly insurgency since 2009.

In May, Nigeria declared an emergency in three north-eastern states in order to battle the militants.

'Invaded from nowhere'

 

"Troops pursued the terrorists to their camps and destroyed them with air support," Lt-Col Musa said on Friday in Maiduguri - the state capital of Borno state where Boko Haram was founded.

The operation began on Wednesday after gunmen attacked Gajiram, about 75km (46 miles) north of Maiduguri, when it was crowded with traders for market day.

Boko Haram at a glance

 

Buildings were burnt and 15 people died in the market, said residents who fled to Maiduguri.

"Many traders and pupils in the school, including a few council workers at the secretariat complex, took to their heels for safety... We were shocked and terrified," a Gajiram resident told Nigeria's Guardian newspaper.

A further five people were killed by gunmen early on Thursday in Bulabilin Ngaura, a small town about 35km south-east of Maiduguri.

"They invaded the village from nowhere. They just opened fire… they killed only five people going to mosque for prayers," a Bulabilin Ngaura resident told Nigeria's Leadership paper.

Boko Haram has not commented on the camp raids or town attacks.

Last month, the army said it had killed Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau but this has not been confirmed and the militants' attacks have continued.

Since the state of emergency was declared, the military has encouraged the formation of vigilante groups to help tackle the Islamists.

In recent weeks, these vigilantes have been the target of attacks.

Observers says it appears Boko Haram is taking revenge against such groups, adding weight to fears that the vigilante groups may trigger an escalation of the violence.

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South-east PDP backs Jonathan, Tukur

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South East zone has passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, describing last Saturday’s purported split of the party as regrettable.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by the National Vice Chairman for the South East Zone, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), the party requested all aggrieved members to shield their swords and work for a united PDP that will always deliver the mandate of the people.

The statement reads, “The PDP South East Zone hereby places its implicit and unreserved vote of confidence on the leadership of the Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan-led Federal Government and the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP.

“We regret the incident that trailed our Special Convention last Saturday at the Eagles Square, Abuja where some of our members staged a workout and wish to advise those aggrieved members to yield themselves to the on-going re-conciliatory measures for an amicable resolution of the standoff.

“The PDP as a large family is bound to have some altercations because of the different shades of opinions and interests. However, the ability to resolve the crisis as swiftly as it arises is what makes a party a truly national one.

“The PDP as a democratic organization maintains internal democracy and also gives room for resolution of grievances whose scope had been raised to the highest pedestal of party politics to accommodate elders and critical Stakeholders in the PDP since last Saturday.”

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My best friend seduced my wife, blind man tells court

A blind man, Mr Shaibu Ibrahim, 56, of Aso Pada in Mararaba, Nasarawa State on Thursday told a Grade 1 Area Court in Mararaba that his friend, Shehu Sarki, 62, allegedly enticed his wife with money and seduced her.

In his testimony to the court, Ibrahim said that he became friends with the accused some time last year when the accused assisted him to secure accommodation at Gwagalape, near Nyanya in the FCT.

“He enticed my wife with money because he is rich.

“He took advantage of a little misunderstanding I had with my wife over N1,000.

“He was my very good friend. When he intervened, I thought he was concerned for me. I did not know that he had other evil plans,”

Ibrahim told the court that the accused was the one who instigated his wife against him.

“When I could not provide the N1000 daily savings to to secure a house, he took my wife and gave her another room in his compound.

“Each time I go to see her or sit on her bed, she will send me out and say she has no business with me and that she has gotten herself a real husband now.

“The accused began threatening me. He even told me that he has the money power to take my wife and marry her,”

Ibrahim alleged that his wife through Sarki’s influence, has offered to pay him back the N19,000 he paid as dowry on her.

After hearing Ibrahim’s testimony, the Presiding Judge, Mr Albert Maga, adjourned the case to Sept. 16, for defence.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on Aug.27, Ibrahim dragged Sarki, his friend and Chairman of the Blind Peoples’ Association in Aso Pada to court for allegedly enticing his wife, Lami, 23.

On the same date, Ibrahim told the court that the accused was the one who introduced him to Lami amd later enticed her and took her away from him (NAN)

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Dangote attributes success to Jonathan’s ‘favourable’ policies

Business mogul, Aliko Dangote, on Thursday said his achievements as Africa’s richest man and 25th richest person on earth was due to the favourable policies of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Dangote spoke on Thursday night in Nairobi when President Jonathan met with the Nigerian community in the East African country.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the meeting was part of the activities lined-up for the three-day visit of President Jonathan to Kenya which began Thursday.

Dangote, who was on the President’s entourage told the gathering that Jonathan had done a lot to improve business climate in Nigeria.

He said, “I want to tell you what the President has been doing in Nigeria. He is very humble and may not want to sing about what he has been doing.

“I will tell you what he has been doing to Nigerians and to some of us who are in business in Nigeria.

“We are very grateful for some of the policies he has introduced.

“As you all know, without the good policies of government, there is no way a person like me from the big town like Kano can rise from a humble beginning to become the 25th richest person on earth.

“Without the policies of Mr. President and also making sure that yes, there is consistency in the policies of government this could not have happened.

“If Government has bad policies, the whole economy will crumble, and if they have good policies people will be able to prosper, and that is what it is happening now.”

Dangote also attributed his success story to the reforms carried out by the Federal Government in the banking sector.

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Taraba Speaker misinterpreting the constitution – Commissioner

The crisis over Taraba Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai’s resumption of work continued across the state on Wednesday. 

The state Commissioner for Justice, Barr. G.T Kataps, on Wednesday accused the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Haruna Tsokwa, of misinterpreting the constitution.

“Misinterpreting the law, as the Taraba Speaker is doing is capable of causing discord to our people who may not have access to the constitution and may not know the correct position of the law,” he said.

Kataps said that Suntai has indeed returned to work.

He briefed reporters in his office, State Secretariat, Jalingo –the state capital shortly before the cabinet was dissolved by Governor Suntai.

The Speaker on Tuesday disagreed with the House Majority Leader Hon. Joseph Albasu over Suntai’s purported resumption of work.

Suntai was injured when a plane he piloted crashed near Yola, Adamawa State, on October 25, last year.

He returned to Jalingo on Sunday after a 10-month stay in German and American hospitals.

On Monday, he transmitted a letter to the House of Assembly, informing the lawmakers of his readiness to begin work. But while the House Majority Leader and other members of the House proclaimed Suntai as physically and mentally fit to govern, the Speaker, who thought otherwise, insisted that Suntai must appear on the floor of the House and speak to them.

The governor’s return has divided the House of Assembly and the entire state.

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‘Why Jonathan sacked youth minister’

The inability of the sacked Minister of Youth Development, Alhaji Abdulkhadir Turaki, to effectively manage his portfolio and the presentation of a forged list of new executive of National Council of Youth of Nigeria (NCYN) to President Goodluck Jonathan when no election took place cost him his job. 

President Jonathan relieved the minister of his appointment on Monday.

Disclosing why the minister was sacked in Minna on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and Niger State governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said the minister did not show enough understanding of his job as he failed to present the actual facts to the President on the botched NCYN election that took place last February in Makurdi, Benue state.

Aliyu said the NCYN election did not hold in Makurdi and a transition committee was put in place, but he alleged that the minister and his aides presented a forged list of new executive members of the council to the President.

The governor, who commended the action of the President made these revelations while receiving the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission Mr. Kennedy Okpara, in his office.

He said,” Please thank the President for me for what he did to the Minister of Youth.

“The President did what was expected of a leader that does not want any of his officials to cause disharmony among the people.”

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3 killed, 8 injured by Boko Haram in Borno

Atleast three people were slaughtered while 8 others sustained knives/cutlass injuries when some suspected Boko Haram sect members ambushed Bama Local Government Area of Borno state.

The incident according to sources took place over the weekend when the gunmen stormed some houses and resort to the use of knives and cultlasses, as using gunshots will attract the presence of security agencies and men of the vigilante youths, popularly addressed as “Civilian JTF”.

Bama is about 67 kilometres away from Maiduguri the state capital which is a stronghold of Boko Haram terrorists which had witnessed series of attacks and killings, the last episode was when some armed terrorists launched a coordinated attacks on Mobile Police Barracks and some military posts, which led to the death of several security agencies, while a top Commander of the sect, Momodu Bama with a bounty of N25 million on him by JTF, and also second-in Command to the Leader, Abubakar Shekau, was killed in an exchange of gun battle with security troops.

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NMA withdraws from health Workers’ strike

The Nigerian Medical Association has dissociated itself from the ongoing health workers’ strike.

The Chairman of Gombe State chapter of NMA, Dr. Jauro Degri, announced the body’s withdrawal at a press briefing in Gombe.

He also said members of the public should not to panic because of the industrial action.

He assured that medical doctors are on ground at the Federal Medical Centre in Gombe to render services to patients.

“All outpatient clinics are going on as expected. Specialist services are going on as usual. The hospital will also continue running some emergency services,” he explained.

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APC sets up state harmonisation committees

The National Interim Executive of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved the establishment of State Harmonisation Committees (SHC) for the party, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the committees would regulate activities of the party at the state level and the Federal Capital Territory.

The party said the decision to set up the committees followed the adoption of the report of the Aminu Masari Committee by the National Interim Executive in Abuja.

It said the committee comprised of former presidents and vice presidents, governors and deputy governors, Senators and members of House of Representatives, as well as Speakers and Minority Leaders of State Houses of Assembly who were members of parties that crystallised into the APC.

Also included as members were serving and past ministers, immediate past National Executive members, gubernatorial candidates and their running mates, who were members of the parties that formed the APC.

According to the statement, in any state where the party does not have an incumbent governor that was a member of the coalition parties, nine persons, comprising of three elders, three youths and three women selected from the three Senatorial Districts, State Chairmen and the Secretaries of the legacy Parties, members of the National Interim Executive and Federal Commissioners who were members of the party, would be co-opted as members.

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